In 1946, Lowell Kiesel founded Kiesel Electronics in Los Angeles, CA. Three years later, the Kiesel family settled in Covina, CA, and began the original catalog business of manufacturing and distributing lap steel guitars, small tube amps, and pickups. The Carvin trademark was derived from Kiesel's two oldest sons, Carson and Gavin. Guitars were originally offered in kit form, or by parts since 1949 and Carvin began building complete guitars in 1956. It was around this time that Carvin introduced a solidbody mandolin. A doubleneck mandolin/guitar instrument was also offered. Carvin stopped producing the electric mandolins in the late 1960s when a traditional A-style pear-shaped acoustic design was introduced. Currently, Carvin offers a full line of aocustic guitars, electric guitars, amplifiers, mixers, and other accessories, but they do not offer any mandolins. Carvin products are mainly offered through their factory direct mail order catalogs, but the have four retail stores in the southern California area. Lowell Kiesel passed away on December 28, 2009. For more information, visit Carvin's website.
Mandolins previously produced in Covina, CA during the late 1950s and 1960s. Carvin currently produces guitars, basses, amplifiers, and other accesories in Escondido, CA. Previous production was located in Covina, CA from 1949 to 1969. Carvin instruments are sold through direct catalog sales, as well as through their four factory stores in Covina, Hollywood, San Diego, and Santa Ana CA.
